Influence of Multi-Layered Structure of Vadose Zone on Ecological Effect of Groundwater in Arid Area: A Case Study of Shiyang River Basin, Northwest China

Cui, Haohao; Zhang, Guanghui; Wang, Jinzhe; Wang, Qian; Lang, Xujuan

doi:10.3390/w14010059

Cited by 3 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…The suitable groundwater depth for Populus euphratica is 3-5 m, and its stress water level is 6-8 m [54]. This is generally consistent with the pattern depicted in Figure 11, where NDVI shows a positive correlation with groundwater depths below 4 m and NDVI shows a negative correlation with groundwater depths above 4 m. Due to the low rainfall in arid areas such as the study area, groundwater is an important resource for supporting the growth of vegetation; however, the uncontrolled exploitation of groundwater will inevitably destroy the stability of the groundwater flow field in the natural vegetation area, meaning that the depth of the groundwater will continue to increase, resulting in drought stress of natural vegetation and even large-scale extinction [51,54].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

“…Due to the specific climatic characteristics of arid zones with scarce rainfall and strong evaporation, the vegetation relies heavily on groundwater for evapotranspiration [50,51]. As shown in Figure 16, the correlation coefficients between the multi-year average depth of groundwater and NDVI in the irrigation area were in the range of −0.987~0.987.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Study on the Suitable Ecological Groundwater Depth and the Suitable Well–Canal Combined Irrigation Ratio in the Weigan River Irrigation District

Zhang,

Deng,

Xiao

et al. 2023

Sustainability

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It is important to clarify the suitable ratio of well–canal combined irrigation and the suitable range for ecological groundwater depth for the ecological stability of the arid zone. The MODFLOW model was used to reconstruct long-term groundwater depth by analyzing the response relationship between vegetation cover and groundwater depth in the Weigan River irrigation district. The suitable range for ecological groundwater depth was obtained, and based on this range, the suitable well–canal combined irrigation ratio in the research area was further simulated. The results show the following: (1) The average annual depth of groundwater in 82.9% of the study area increased from 2012 to 2021, and the average annual depth of groundwater increased by 1.03 m in 2021 compared to 2012. The average depth of the groundwater in the upstream area increased the most, with an increase of 1.96 m. (2) The vegetation cover in the study area from 2012 to 2021 increased in general, with an increase of 0.0461 over the 10-year period, but it fluctuated between years. (3) The depth of the groundwater in the study area suitable for the growth of vegetation in the irrigation area ranged from 3 to 5 m, and the value of NDVI within this range concentrated near 0.564–0.731, which represents a good state of vegetation growth. (4) The ratio of combined well and canal irrigation in the study area from 2012 to 2014 surged from 0.13 in 2012 to 0.48 in 2014, and the irrational harvesting and replenishment relationship led to a rapid increase in the depth of buried groundwater. A suitable well–canal combined irrigation ratio of 0.396 in the study area was obtained. This study is beneficial for maintaining the sustainable development and utilization of water resources and ecological stability in the Weigan River irrigation district.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Study on the Suitable Ecological Groundwater Depth and the Suitable Well–Canal Combined Irrigation Ratio in the Weigan River Irrigation District

Zhang,

Deng,

Xiao

et al. 2023

Sustainability

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“…Groundwater plays an indispensable role as a crucial regulator of water, salt, and heat in shallow soil, maintaining the equilibrium of these factors within plant habitats, even in deep buried areas (Mata‐González et al, 2022). Moreover, some researchers have demonstrated that vertical interactions among “groundwater‐soil‐vegetation” significantly contribute to eco‐environmental processes (Cao et al, 2021: Cui et al, 2022; Yin et al, 2021). However, human activities have led to the decline in groundwater levels seriously for nearly half a century, which have become an important factor affecting the ecological function and evolution of regional surface ecosystems.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…even in deep buried areas (Mata-González et al, 2022). Moreover, some researchers have demonstrated that vertical interactions among "groundwater-soil-vegetation" significantly contribute to eco-environmental processes (Cao et al, 2021: Cui et al, 2022Yin et al, 2021).…”

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confidence: 99%

Effects of groundwater level decline on soil‐vegetation system in semiarid grassland influenced by coal mining

Feng,

Duan,

Zhou

et al. 2024

Land Degrad Dev

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Although it is well known that groundwater significantly influences the plant communities, there have been few studies on how the soil and plant communities respond to a rapid decline of groundwater in a short time affected by coal mining. This paper focuses on the examination of changes in groundwater depth before and after coal mining and the soil‐vegetation response in a typical semi‐arid grassland coal mine area of Hulunbuir Steppe, Northeastern China. The IsoSource model, based on the dual stable isotopes of δ D and δ18O, was employed to estimate groundwater contributions to shallow soil (0–100 cm) water under different groundwater depths. The results revealed that groundwater was the dominant water source (75.7% ± 17.1%) for shallow soil water when the groundwater depth is less than 4 m, indicating that 4 m is a threshold in groundwater depth, separating groundwater‐dependent, and precipitation‐driven vegetation system in the study area. Secondly, a strong nonlinear response was observed between vegetation species, height, coverage, and the decline in groundwater. The vegetation properties were found to be the lowest in the areas where groundwater depth increased from 1.5–4 m to 4–28 m before and after coal mining. Finally, the groundwater level decline in the mining area significantly influenced the groundwater‐dependent vegetation ecosystem, the soil cation exchange capacity and organic matter reduced lead to the degradation of plant communities and the transition of mesophytes to xerophytes. Besides, the soil‐vegetation system in the non‐groundwater‐dependent area has no obvious response to the groundwater decline. These results suggest that caution should be exercised when mining in groundwater‐dependent ecosystem regions.

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Effects of Groundwater Level Control on Soil Salinity Change in Farmland around Wetlands in Arid Areas: A Case Study of the Lower Reaches of the Shiyang River Basin, China

Liu

Zhang

Cui

et al. 2023

Water

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The farmland around wetlands in the lower reaches of an arid area is susceptible to salinization. To explore the effects of the groundwater level control at an irrigation cycle scale on the salt concentration of the topsoil solution, this study carried out groundwater level control and irrigation experiments using the intelligent groundwater control and in-situ field monitoring system (also referred to as the groundwater control system) in the experimental base for groundwater control of the Shiyang River basin. On this basis, this study compared and analyzed the changes in groundwater depth, soil salinity, soil moisture content, and total water potential in zones with and without groundwater control (also referred to as the control and non-control zones, respectively). Results show: (1) When the groundwater depth increased by about 50 cm under the influence of the groundwater control system, the salt accumulation layer of the soil bulk shifted downward by about 20 cm, and the topsoil bulk salt (at a depth of less than 40 cm) decreased to below 5.0 g/kg; (2) In summer, the pore water electrical conductivity (ECp) of the topsoil in the control and non-control zones exhibited alternating rapid decreases and slow increases. In the concentration stage of the soil solution, the ECp of the topsoil in the non-control zone had significantly higher increased amplitude than that in the control zone, especially 3–8 days after irrigation. At this stage, the ECp of the topsoil in the control and non-control zones increased in two (slow and rapid increase) and three (slow, rapid, and fairly rapid increase) periods, respectively; (3) At the concentration stage of the topsoil solution, both the moisture content and solution salt content of the topsoil in the control zone were in a negative equilibrium state, with the absolute values of the equilibrium values gradually increasing. In contrast, the moisture content and solution salt content of the topsoil in the non-control zone were in negative and positive equilibrium, respectively, with the absolute values of their equilibrium values gradually increasing. The groundwater control system can mitigate the concentration rate of the topsoil solution by increasing the groundwater depth and influencing the water and salt equilibrium of the topsoil solution, which can create a suitable topsoil salt environment for crop growth. This study is of great significance for determining an appropriate ecological water level interval and optimizing groundwater control strategies for farmland around wetlands.

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Influence of Multi-Layered Structure of Vadose Zone on Ecological Effect of Groundwater in Arid Area: A Case Study of Shiyang River Basin, Northwest China

Cited by 3 publications

References 41 publications

Study on the Suitable Ecological Groundwater Depth and the Suitable Well–Canal Combined Irrigation Ratio in the Weigan River Irrigation District

Study on the Suitable Ecological Groundwater Depth and the Suitable Well–Canal Combined Irrigation Ratio in the Weigan River Irrigation District

Effects of groundwater level decline on soil‐vegetation system in semiarid grassland influenced by coal mining

Effects of Groundwater Level Control on Soil Salinity Change in Farmland around Wetlands in Arid Areas: A Case Study of the Lower Reaches of the Shiyang River Basin, China

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